PSST: Explore your dynamic relationship with Soul!
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Soul”
for February 14, 2021
by Lindsey Biggs, C.S. of Maryland Heights, MO
540 460 3515 biggs.lindsey@gmail.com
P.S.S.T. for Golden Text
What would the effect be of everyone on the earth “remembering the Lord”? Do you think there would be greater peace, health, and joy on earth if everyone lived with God in their thought? Why or why not?
How does this passage by Mary Baker Eddy relate to this idea of everyone remembering – or being conscious of God? “To live so as to keep human consciousness in constant relation with the divine, the spiritual, and the eternal, is to individualize infinite power; and this is Christian Science.” (Miscellany, p. 160)
How can you apply this in school, home, and extracurricular activities?
P.S.S.T. for Responsive Reading
How does this Responsive Reading describe our relationship with God? What are some things in this passage that indicate that we have a relationship with God? “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.” (Psalms 77:1)
What role does prayer and/or gratitude play in our remembrance of God? Can your students cultivate a daily practice of gratitude? Sometimes starting Sunday School classes with each student thinking about and sharing what they are grateful for helps. It enables students to remember the good that occurred that week, recognize God’s presence in their lives, and be open and receptive to the ideas in the class that day. “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” (Psalms 22:11, 12)
P.S.S.T. for Section 1 – Cultivate your relationship with God.
The Bible has sometimes been described as God’s love story. Each of us has a relationship with God, whether or not we are even aware of this relationship. Being aware of this relationship leads us to greater satisfaction, success, stability, joy, and freedom. In one of her letters, Mary Baker Eddy writes, “God…is man's only real relative on earth and in heaven. …Brother, sister…art thou acquainted with God? If not, I pray thee as a Christian Scientist, delay not to make Him thy first acquaintance.” (Mis, p. 151)
What are some ways your students can get to know God better? What resources do we have to do so? What are the benefits of having a steadfast relationship with God?
Notice how citation B1 (Leviticus 26:1, 11, 12) describes God’s relationship with us. Then, citation B2 (Isaiah 26:8, 9) and cit. B3 (Psalms 42:1, 2, 4) describe our relationship to God. Write down some of the adjectives and verbs that are used in depicting this important relationship. What is God’s role? What is our role?
What is our “spiritual sense” (cit. S4, SH p. 209)? How would your students describe it? What are some attributes of spiritual sense? (See SH p. 298) How does spiritual sense differ from the material senses? Which sense plays an important role in healing?
P.S.S.T. for Section 2 – Find happiness and strength in Soul!
“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” (cit. B5, Psalms 18:32) See if your students can memorize this and take it with them next time they have soccer practice, or basketball tryouts, or an exam to take. How does recognizing God as our Source make us more effective in the things we need to do?
“Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul.” (cit. S8, 60) Where does our happiness really come from? How can expressing the qualities of Soul make us happy? Explore the Seven Synonyms and attributes poster and discover qualities for Soul together. What qualities would your students like to focus on expressing? How can these qualities make them a better artist, musician, athlete, etc?
How can understanding that your identity is actually spiritual help you? How does this enable you to throw off some limitations? “The Science of being reveals man as perfect, even as the Father is perfect, because the Soul, or Mind, of the spiritual man is God…” (cit. S5, 302)
P.S.S.T. for Section 3 – Express our relationship with God in our relationship with others
What do you think it was like for Abraham’s servant to be sent on this mission? What qualities of God did he express? We get to hear his prayer at the well. What does his prayer show us about his character and relationship to Abraham?
What do you think was the significance of Rebekah offering water to the servant AND to the camels? What qualities do you think she expressed?
How do you think she felt when she accepted the invitation to move away from her family and marry Isaac?
From the Bible Lens Research in the Christian Science Sentinel:
“Public wells were gathering places for community members and visitors, so this location was a natural destination for Abraham’s servant. Upon arriving, he petitions Yahweh for help in identifying Isaac’s future wife—an indication of his conviction of God’s guidance in human affairs. (Later both Jacob and Moses would meet their future wives at wells; see Genesis 29:1–18; Exodus 2:13–21.)
A scholar suggests, ‘Individual, direct contact with God, a feeling of constant nearness to the divine, an understanding of God as approachable—all these are prominent motifs in the religion of Israel, and they find expression in the simple pious prayer of Abraham’s servant.’”
Mary Baker Eddy describes some of the qualities necessary for a happy and permanent relationship: Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, purity (cit. S11, 58); tender solicitude for each other’s happiness, mutual attention and approbation (approval/praise), confidence, cheer, unity of interests and affections (cit. S12, 59).
Do you think these qualities can be applied to other relationships in addition to marriage?
How can expressing these qualities improve your friendships?
How can expressing these qualities improve your relationship with yourself – your enjoyment of being with yourself as a whole, complete individual?
P.S.S.T. for Section 4 – God gives us dominion, not fear.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (cit. B12, II Tim 1:7)
What does having a “sound mind” feel like? Peaceful, calm, trusting in God, confident?
See if your students can write a list of attributes that are included in a “sound mind.”
Knowing God gives us a sound mind can counteract stress, anxiety, fear, etc.
From the Bible Lens Research in the Christian Science Sentinel:
“Deilia, the Greek word translated fear, appears only here in Scripture. It describes extreme timidity, even cowardice, in the face of a challenge or battle.”
“The divine Mind is the Soul of man, and gives man dominion over all things.” (cit. S14, 307) How is dominion the opposite of fear? How does knowing that God gives us dominion – that is God’s will for us – enable us to confront challenges with grace, confidence, and poise?
Are there situations in your life where you would like to express more grace and confidence?
Could this be a good goal to set?
Check-out how this high school student demonstrated dominion, courage, and confidence in overcoming a football injury and an intimidating opposing team: Prayer on the football field
P.S.S.T. for Section 5 – Recognize your God-given dominion over the physical senses.
What does it mean to you that God is the “health of my countenance”? (cit. B13/Psalms 42:11) What healings have your students had, when they have demonstrated that God’s will for them is health?
What does this statement mean to you and your students? “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also…” (cit. S19, 92) What does believe mean? Explore Believing in the Glossary of Science and Health.
Explore how “Truth is God's remedy for error of every kind…” (cit. S20, 142).
Write a list of counterfeits (error/lies) and spiritual counterfacts. Notice how each spiritual counterfact — the Truth – negates, destroys, and replaces the counterfeit. Is this a type of healing prayer that your students can apply to any situation?
“Exercise this God-given authority. Take possession of your body, and govern its feeling and action. Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good.” (cit. S22, 393) What does this statement show us about our spiritual power and authority? What does it show us about our relationship with our body? Is it one of dominion or subjection? How have your students demonstrated their dominion over the body (and every thought that doesn’t proceed from God)?
“Man is harmonious when governed by Soul.” (cit. S23, 273) What does it mean to be governed by Soul? How do you know when you are being governed by Soul? What is the opposite of Soul?
P.S.S.T. for Section 6 – God is the life and soul of man.
What are some qualities of Life? What are some qualities of Soul? Can you express Life and Soul together? Think of all the ways that we are expressing the synonyms for God each day!
What is the traditional religious view of soul?
How does Christian Science present a distinct viewpoint about Soul?
How does Christian Science help us demonstrate our true spiritual individuality?
Do you feel you have a life purpose?
How can Mary Baker Eddy’s statement below help us expand our sense of life purpose?
“As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good. Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inquiry, What am I? to the scientific response: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing.”
(Miscellany, p. 165)
P.S.S.T. for Section 7 – Express Soul through freedom and harmony!
What is “sinless joy” to you? (cit. S31, 76) How do we express sinless joy?
How can we embody it and shine it towards others?
How does being a role model of sinless joy help uplift and bless others?
Do your students love art and/or music? These are great ways to express Soul! Explore all the ways we can express Soul to make this synonym even more tangible to students.
After you have made a list of examples and/or qualities of Soul that you students can express, consider this statement together and see if they now have an expanding sense of what it means. “Man is the reflection of Soul.” (cit. S32, 294)
Enjoy your class and each student as a precious reflection of Soul!
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